At least 25 dead, 115 missing and 3000 in need of rescue as Laotian “battery of Asia” explodes after heavy rains

Dam-building industry has once again demonstrated its full neglect to human needs and rights.Monday evening, July 23, a dam of the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower project in Southern Laos collapsed causing tremendous devastation in downstream villages and floodplains. This is at least the 4th major large dam failure during 2018, and with monsoon season to last for at least another 2 months it may be not the last one yet. Reservoirs are already full to the brim in Thailand, Northern India and many other Asian countries. We publish a short note from colleagues who have worked at the site. RwB

International Rivers expresses its concern and regret about the tragic loss of life and hardship facing communities living downstream of the collapsed dam in Lao PDR. An auxilary dam that was part of the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower scheme on the Xepian River collapsed the night of July 23 as heavy monsoon rains overtopped the dam. Communities living downstream were told to evacuate the area only hours before the dam collapsed. Initial reports indicate that 6,600 families have been displaced, losing their homes and property, while many were killed or remain missing.

As rescue operations continue, the tragic event illustrates a number of risks related to dams:

Many dams in operation or planned are not designed to be able to cope with extreme weather events. Unpredictable and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change, posing grave safety concerns to millions who live downstream of dams. Dam financiers, planners and operators must urgently assess the ability of dams to withstand extreme weather events and act to ensure dams are able to accommodate them.

The unfolding tragedy in Lao PDR also reveals the inadequacy of warning systems to prevent loss of life. Communities were not given sufficient advanced warning to ensure their safety and that of their families. This event raises major questions about dam standards and dam safety in Laos, including their appropriateness to deal with weather conditions and risks.

There is an urgent need for clarity on roles, responsibilities and accountability for managing and responding to critical situations such as floods, droughts, and emergencies, between government officials and private dam operators. This includes how communications with stakeholders – especially communities downstream – should be undertaken. With over 70 hydropower projects currently built, under construction and planned across Lao PDR – most of them owned and operated by private companies – authorities must immediately review how dams are being planned, designed and managed.